Special Interest Groups

GERIATRICS

Purpose

As the population of older adults rises, the American health care system will be facing growing numbers of patients with chronic conditions that require hospice and palliative care. Care for the complex, frail elder nearing the end of life can be complicated due to the complex physiology of aging and the interplay of multiple illnesses.  Routine interventions in the dying may have unintended consequences in elderly patients such as increasing the risk of falls and agitated delirium.

The community of hospice and palliative care providers that are also geriatric specialists are an essential resource to the field of palliative medicine.  These specialists offer expertise in caring for growing numbers of geriatric patients confronted with complicated interactions of multiple diseases, polypharmacy, and numerous transitions in care sites.  The Geriatrics SIG will create opportunities for hospice and palliative providers caring for geriatric patients to network, share expertise, and advocate for a potentially underserved and vulnerable population.  

Leadership

Past Chair—Shaida Talabreza, MD
Chair—Heather Herrington, MD
Chair Elect—
Staff Liaison—Emily Muse 

For inquiries, questions, or comments about the special interest group, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it the staff liaison.

Communication Tool

Membership in the Geriatrics SIG allows you the benefit of participating in an AAHPM sponsored Listserv. This forum offers community members an exchange for sharing best practices, asking questions, offering helpful information, and networking. To post a message to all members, send an e-mail to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please keep in mind that you can only send messages to the listserv from the e-mail address you provided in your member profile.

If you are having difficulties using this listserv, please e-mail the AAHPM Listserv Administrator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Annual Meeting

Mark your Calendars:
2013 AAHPM & HPNA Annual Assembly
March 13–16, 2013 in New Orleans

The Geriatric SIG will hold an in-person meeting on Saturday, March 16, 2013, at 12:15–1:15 pm. Members of the Geriatric SIG might be interested in these concurrent sessions at Assembly.

Additional Resources

GeriPal: A Geriatrics and Palliative Care Blog

The American Geriatric Society

National Association for HomeCare and Hospice

American Medical Directors Association

The John A. Hartford Foundation

Donald W. Reynolds Foundation

Join this SIG

To join the Geriatrics SIG, or any AAHPM Special Interest Group, login to your member profile on the website and update your member profile demographics. Step by step instructions.